US Says Antisemitic Figures Could Be Barred From World Cup

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, said this week that individuals accused of promoting antisemitism could be barred from entering the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His remarks came at a European Jewish Association conference in Brussels on April 15 and in a follow-up interview published Friday.

The warning comes as the United States prepares to host the largest World Cup in history, expected to bring millions of visitors across the country. While no formal visa directive has been publicly announced, Kaploun’s comments signal how U.S. officials may approach entry decisions due to rising concerns over antisemitism linked to international sporting events.

“The president and the secretary of state have made it perfectly clear that people who want to sow discord in this country are not welcome here,” Kaploun told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “People who want to bring their brand of hate to the United States with antisemitism are not welcome. Coming to this country is a privilege. It’s not a right.”

Kaploun emphasized that the approach would not target specific countries or political blocs, but rather individuals. “If there is a minister that is promoting, you know, there are people who are promoting right-wing antisemitism or left-wing antisemitism,” he said. “Either way, coming to the United States is a privilege, not a right, and everybody is judged on making sure that they’re going to be coming to this country, that they’re going to not ferment hate.”

He pointed to recent incidents involving Israeli soccer fans as examples of conduct that could lead to restrictions. Kaploun cited the violence in Amsterdam in November 2024, when Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked following a match, as well as a decision by England’s Aston Villa Football Club in October 2025 to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League game due to security concerns.

“Those people who are responsible for what occurred in Amsterdam at the soccer matches, or that are responsible for the lies that ended up resulting in tourists, people, not being allowed to come to a soccer match — those people who do those things will be held accountable and aren’t welcome to come to the United States of America,” Kaploun said.

The comments come as FIFA and U.S. officials continue preparations for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada and will feature 48 national teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed this week that Iran will participate after qualifying.

“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino said. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

At the same time, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup task force, said the Trump administration expects Iran to attend. “I’m not going to speak for the Iranian team, but I will say that the president, when I’ve talked to him, has invited the Iranian team here,” he said.

Kaploun’s remarks also clarified earlier reports suggesting the United States would impose broad bans on European officials. He rejected that, stating that “everybody is judged as an individual,” and that any decisions would be based on conduct rather than nationality.